Even though Nick’s Cove, in Marshall, California, is just an hour away from San Francisco, it feels like another world. It’s a world where every little detail counts and you feel like you’re in a new relationship. The staff are thoughtful and go out of their way to make your stay special. From the welcome treat to breakfast in bed, and everything in between, Nick’s Cove knows how to provide their guests with every luxury.

Athena and I arrived at Nick’s Cove and we were shown to our suite. It was a quaint cabin with rustic furnishings, a fire place, a king-sized bed that soaked up the sun, a living room area, and a kitchen. On the table, there was a bag of snacks, a welcome letter, and a certificate for a free cheese plate or oysters. There was also a card to be completed for breakfast in bed the next morning. The fridge was stocked with complimentary sodas and water. It had that familiar feeling of returning home after a trip.Our expansive view looked out over the restaurant and the pier and we could see it from anywhere in the suite. I sat on the patio and breathed in the smells of cedar and eucalyptus in the air as I watched the sun kiss the water over Point Reyes.

We walked across the street to the restaurant for a delicious meal made from fresh seafood and local farm produce. Their newly updated restaurant has all the nostalgic charm of an upscale hunting lodge, complete with restored mahogany bar, wood-burning fireplace, reclaimed redwood tables, and game trophies on the wall.

I ordered the Roasted Half Petaluma Chicken with fennel puree, marble potatoes, natural jus, and pasilla creme fraiche. It tasted like home-cooking and looked as delicious as it tasted.Athena ordered their famous Mac & Cheese and she ate every drop. It was baked to perfection with creamy goodness inside. Admittedly, I had to try it for myself and I agreed with her view, “It was the best Mac & Cheese ever.”We returned to the suite and laid on the soft linens. The king bed engulfed us and we were asleep within minutes.Promptly at 8 am, as we requested on our breakfast card, our meal was delivered to the door. The breads were freshly baked and still warm, the fruits were local, and the coffee and tea still hot. Athena and I admired the view from our bed as we enjoyed our breakfast. We felt like royalty. I wanted to continue my stay and take in more of the extra effort delivered at Nick’s Cove.It definitely took extra effort to deliver that kind of experience, but the staff at Nick’s Cove were truly dedicated to providing timeless luxuries in a setting of rustic elegance and we certainly noticed the difference.